Pushbutton for Capsule-Shaped Speaker

The invention relates to the field of pushbuttons for electrical equipment.

It is considered to design a speaker having curved external surfaces, and in particular a speaker with a “capsule” shape. This speaker can optionally comprise a support enabling to position it vertically on a flat surface (of a piece of furniture, for example). The speaker can also be placed directly in a horizontal position on this flat surface.

The speaker is, for example, a “satellite” speaker intended to be connected to a device configured to broadcast sound content, such as a set-top box (STB). The set-top box itself possibly integrates one or more loudspeakers.

Such a speaker typically comprises a sound box. This is a waterproof casing in which one or more loudspeakers are integrated. The casing can be constituted of a single part or can be obtained by the assembly of a plurality of parts.

The sound box, which also has a shape close to that of a capsule, defines a technical volume necessary for the implementation of the technical functions of the audio part of the speaker. The box delimits the acoustic volume, and integrates the loudspeakers and the connections for bringing the audio signals to the loudspeakers. This technical volume can also be used to integrate components implementing “transversal” functions: control, communication (Wi-Fi interface, for example), electrical power supply, etc.

The speaker also comprises one or more protective parts mounted on the box and which cover (at least) the loudspeaker diaphragms to protect them from external aggressions. These protective parts comprise holes to let out the sounds generated by the loudspeakers. These protective parts also enable to give the speaker a certain aesthetic appearance. A fabric sometimes covers the protective parts in full or in part, which then also fulfil the support function of said fabric.

A speaker conventionally comprises one or more buttons which enable the user to interact with the speaker.

For example, it is known to use a mechanical button of the touch switch type (tact switch), or else of the slide switch type (slider). For example, pushbuttons are known which are mounted on a printed circuit integrated into a speaker, and which comprise an actuating member (movable part of the button) which passes through the casing of the speaker and which is accessible from outside the speaker.

The buttons of the prior art have a certain number of disadvantages in the case of a speaker, and in particular a speaker with curved external surfaces.

Most of these buttons have an actuating member which is relatively short. However, due to the shape of the speaker, the printed circuit must be moved back and away from the external surface of the speaker. The actuating member of most buttons of the prior art, is not long enough to reach the external surface of the speaker.

Furthermore, the length of the actuating member of the buttons of the prior art, is limited to a list of standard dimensions, predefined by the manufacturer, and therefore, do not enable customisation of the button. However, the capsule speaker here, has a very particular design which is not compatible with most buttons on the market.

Furthermore, the sound box of the speaker must be perfectly sealed acoustically. The use of buttons of the prior art requires adding additional parts or components to ensure the sealing of the box (seal, adhesive foam, bearing elements, etc.). These parts increase the cost and complexity of the assembly.

In addition, the buttons of the prior art are generally manufactured with one or more rigid materials, such as polyamide. They therefore, vibrate strongly when they are subjected to the vibrations of the speaker in operation.

These buttons themselves, and their actuating member in particular, are also sources of vibrations (in the button itself or between the actuating member and the adjacent parts and components).

The object of the invention is to design a pushbutton:

In order to achieve this aim, a pushbutton is proposed, comprising:

The pushbutton is very simple. It can be a one-piece part, both compact and robust. The manufacturing method of this part is very simple and therefore, the button is easily customisable.

The elongated shape of the actuating member enables the button to cooperate with a contact device mounted on a printed circuit which is significantly away from the external surface of the speaker. The button is therefore, compatible with a speaker, or any other electrical equipment, which has curved external surfaces.

The rib of the base of the pushbutton can be crushed against an inner surface of the sound box of the speaker (or more generally, of the casing of an electrical equipment), which enables to ensure the acoustic sealing of the box. No additional parts are required to ensure this sealing.

The elastic mechanical characteristics of the button enable to limit vibrations.

In addition, a pushbutton as previously described is proposed, comprising a first electrically conductive pad, which is positioned on a face of the first end of the actuating member.

In addition, a pushbutton as previously described is proposed, comprising at least a second, electrically conductive pad, which is positioned on a second face of the base.

In addition, a pushbutton as previously described is proposed, comprising at least one electrically conductive ring, which is positioned on a second face of the base and which is centred on the axis.

In addition, a pushbutton as previously described is proposed, comprising at least one protrusion that extends from the base, radially, outward from it.

In addition, a pushbutton as previously described is proposed, in which the actuating member, the base and the diaphragm form a one-piece part made of elastomer.

In addition, a pushbutton as previously described is proposed, comprising at least one evacuation device enabling to evacuate air from an inner volume of the pushbutton delimited by the diaphragm and by a plane in which extends a second face of the base, the evacuation device comprising a second hole passing through the base and positioned between the second end of the diaphragm and the rib, and a duct connecting the inner volume to the second hole.

In addition, an equipment comprising a casing, a printed circuit integrated in the casing, fixed to an inner surface of the casing, and on which a first contact device is located, and a pushbutton as previously described is proposed, which is also integrated in the casing, the equipment being arranged such that the base of the pushbutton is located between the printed circuit and the inner surface of the casing, the first face of the base is in contact with said inner surface of the casing and a second face of the base is in contact with the printed circuit, the printed circuit presses on the second face of the base such that the rib is crushed against the inner surface of the casing, the first contact device is positioned in the first hole of the base, the actuating member extends through the casing, and a second end of the actuating member is accessible from the outside of the casing such that when a pressure is exerted on the second end of the actuating member, the diaphragm deforms and the first end of the actuating member comes into contact with the first contact device, and such that when the pressure ceases, the actuating member returns to its initial position, the equipment further comprising a processing unit connected to the first contact device and arranged to control a predefined action when the first end of the actuating member comes into contact with the first contact device.

In addition, an equipment as previously described is proposed, in which the inner surface of the casing comprises a groove in which the rib of the first face of the base of the pushbutton is positioned.

In addition, an equipment as previously described is proposed, the first contact device comprising at least two conductive track portions printed on the printed circuit, the first pad being arranged to short-circuit the two conductive track portions when the first end of the actuating member comes into contact with the two conductive track portions.

In addition, an equipment as previously described is proposed, in which the printed circuit comprises at least a second contact device arranged to detect at least a second, electrically conductive pad, which is optionally present on a second face of the base of the pushbutton, the processing unit being arranged to configure the equipment depending on a number and/or a position of second detected pads.

In addition, an equipment as previously described is proposed, in which the printed circuit comprises at least one third contact device arranged to detect at least one protrusion, optionally present by extending from the base of the pushbutton, radially, outward from it, the processing unit being arranged to configure the equipment depending on a number and/or a position of detected protrusions.

In addition, an equipment as previously described is proposed, in which the equipment is a speaker.

In addition, an equipment as previously described is proposed, in which the configuration of the speaker consists in giving it a position in a multichannel audio system.

The invention will be better understood in light of the following description of a particular and non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

With reference to, the speakeris here a portable speaker which comprises curved external surfaces and more precisely, has the shape of a “capsule”. The speakercomprises:

In the nominal operating position, the speakeris positioned vertically. All the positioning terms used here must be interpreted considering that the speakeris in this nominal operating position.

The sound boxcomprises a central portionand two endshemispherically-shaped.

The endforms a upper faceof the box. The endforms a lower faceof the box. The central partcomprises side faces comprising a front face, a rear face, a left faceand a right faceof the box.

The sound boxalso has the general shape of a capsule, but which is flattened at its front faceand its rear face. All the external surfaces of the boxare curved surfaces.

Two loudspeakersare here, integrated in the sound box.

The loudspeakeris a Woofer type loudspeaker. This is a loudspeaker which reproduces low frequencies, for example, of between 100 Hz and 2 kHz. The term woofer is also used to designate this type of loudspeaker.

The loudspeakeris a Tweeter type speaker. This is a loudspeaker that reproduces high frequencies, for example, of between 2 kHz and 20 kHz. The term treble loudspeaker is also used to designate this type of loudspeaker. The diameter of the diaphragm of the loudspeakeris greater than the diameter of the diaphragm of the loudspeaker

The loudspeakeris integrated in the sound boxsuch that its diaphragm is positioned, for example, at a lower portion of the front faceof the sound box. The loudspeakeris integrated in the sound boxsuch that its diaphragm is positioned, for example, at an upper portion of the front faceof the sound box.

The first shellaims to protect the left faceand the right faceof the box. The first shellis fixed to the box by screws.

The second shellaims to protect the rear faceand the lower faceof the box. The second shellis fixed to the box by screws.

The protective partaims in particular to protect the front faceand the upper faceof the box.

The supportwill be described below in this description.

With reference to, the speakerfurther integrates an electrical boardwhich comprises a printed circuitand electronic components(and software) mounted on the printed circuit.

These electronic componentscomprise a processing unit. The processing unitcomprises at least one processing componentwhich is, for example, a “general” processor, a processor specialising in the processing of the signal (or DSP, for Digital Signal Processor), a microcontroller, or a programmable logic circuit, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processing unitalso comprises one or more memoriesconnected to or integrated in the processing componentAt least one of these memories forms a computer-readable storage medium, on which is recorded at least one computer program, comprising instructions which lead the processing unitto execute the steps of the configuration method which is described below.

The electronic componentsalso comprise audio components, communication components, etc.